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Socially Sustainable Neighbourhood Design for Children and Youth explores social sustainability in neighbourhood design, with a particular focus on providing practical design recommendations to improve the lives of children and youth. This book provides insights from research, as well as practical, actionable design principles and strategies to create inclusive, child-and youth-friendly environments that foster social connections and community engagement.
The book strongly emphasises how vibrant, engaged communities are linked to equity and long-term social and environmental sustainability. It explores how children and youth perceive social sustainability and the behaviour settings that support it. It outlines design principles and recommendations useful for creating spaces that prioritise their wellbeing and development, both as individuals and as community members. By addressing the unique needs and perspectives of young people, the book empowers urban professionals to develop neighbourhoods that are socially sustainable, inclusive, and resilient. It also touches on important topics like decolonisation, post-colonialism in design, co-design principles, and democratic design approaches and evaluates how current urban planning practices impact the design of spaces for young people.
This book is an essential resource for urban planners, designers, architects, and landscape professionals who are committed to designing neighbourhoods that foster social connection, inclusivity, and sustainable community life - especially through meaningful children and youth engagement.
List of contents
List of FiguresList of YablesPrefaceDefinition of Children and YouthGlossary of TermsIntroduction - Community Life: What Do We Know About Social Sustainability?
- Research Methods: How Can We Measure the Quality of the Social Lives of Children and Youth?
- Inviting Participation: How Can We Meaningfully Engage Children and Youth in the Design Process?
- Young People's Voices: What Do Our Children and Youth Think about Social Sustainability?
- The Neighbourhood: What is the Role of the Local Context in Social Sustainability for Our Children and Youth?
- Beyond the Neighbourhood: What Can We Do to Design Socially and Ecologically Sustainable Cities for Our Children and Youth?
- Design Theories: What is the Role of Theoretical Foundations in Designing for Social Sustainability?
- Pathways to Change: How Can We Integrate Social Sustainability Principles into Neighbourhood and City Planning through Improving Policy Settings and Advocacy?
- A Call to Action: Let's Envision a Brighter Future
- Ways Forward: What Practical Approaches and Tools Are Available for Urban Design Professionals?
EpilogueIndex
About the author
Parisa Ziaesaeidi is a teaching and research academic with a strong focus on the design of inclusive, community-centred urban environments that foster social connections, resilience, and sustainability. She also writes articles for online platforms that communicate about architecture, urban design and social sustainability for broader audiences. Before and during her PhD she worked as an Architect in the private sector and academia.
